Downfall Of Gaia - Suffocating In The Swarm Of Cranes

This is the second full length release from the German outfit known as Downfall of Gaia. Sometimes I'm beyond perplexed as to why Metal Archives is overly picky about what is metal. To not consider this metal just makes me laugh. When you have Young And In The Way on the archives, you start to scratch your head a little. How much hardcore influence does a band have to have to not be considered metal. Anyway... It seems more and more black metal is expanding its sub-genres. Almost every month I'll find a new black metal band with their own unique flare. Hardcore is a strong back bone now of black metal. Bands like Deafheaven or Young And In The Way fuse strong hardcore roots into song structure, drums and vocal attack. Not caring what people think about your band is also another aspect of it. Considering most metal was derived from punk and obviously hardcore has one hundred percent stemmed from punk. Black metal is its close brother in audio assault.

A fitting intro for a well thought out album. It seems at first a minor earthquake. Then you feel like your slowly waking up on some jet plane ripping through space. While a ringing in your ears starts to get louder and louder. Until it's deafening and you start to sway. Slowly drifting back to sleep to avoid the nightmare your about to face. That nightmare is facing reality. The reality of a society where communication is lost and the only way to express ourselves is through any means of catharsis. If your not rocking back and forth to the groove, you'll be clutching your cranium contimplating how this band has put your unheard voice into a series of unrelenting expression. "In The Rivers Bleak", highlights their diversity. The track starts out with lush chords and great harmonious melody. Then slowly builds up to that driving blast beat under the constant strumming black metal fury. Then drop down the tempo and crack open the egg and let the yolk pour out. Gut wrenching vocals over discordance. Then they throw you right back into the moat and watch you gasp for air. "I Fade Away", highlights their use of clean guitars and delay pedal. An almost needed break from the previous track. It has its intense moments but the main feel of the song is extreme relief. Fitting title for a somewhat descending feel. Yet not falling but more as if to slowly lye down. Full of ups and downs, twists and turns. This album has everything you need.

Their understanding of song structure is absolutely impecable. Delivering a whole array of emotions in only a six minute track says a lot. Not only on their skill level but how much these guys are going through internally. Other bands like Dillinger Escape Plan had a similar concept to their latest album, "Option Paralysis". In a day and age where technology rules the land and their are an overload of life courses to choose from. Sometimes we find oursevles overwhelmed and in some cases, even paralyzed. While your sitting their dwelling on worthless tripe... push play.

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  1. Vulnus
  2. Drowning By Wing Beats
  3. In The Rivers Bleak
  4. I Fade Away
  5. Beneath The Crown Of Cranes
  6. Giving Their Heir To The Masses
  7. Asphxia

Reviewer: Hollow Lung
Oct 22, 2012
Next review: Elimi - Asylum

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